Automatic train-pipe connector.



I. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC-TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15. I9I4.

1,245,76. Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN- PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.15. L914.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

v N Q/vi tweooeo L V. ROBINSON.

MJTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AN. 15. I914.

Patented Nov. 6; 1917.

v 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 544 canto z Q Vi tmaooao J. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FlL ED JAN. 15. 1914.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH V. BOBINSON, OF CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-PIPE CONNECTOR.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Josnrn V. Romrrson, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chevy Chase, county of Montgomery, State of Maryland, have invented certa n new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Pipe Connectors, of which the following is a specification.-

My invention relates to an Improved automatic train pipe connector, and it consists in the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and cla1med.

An object of my invention is to prov de a compact and eflicient automatic tram p1pe connector, constructed to permit convenlent and quick interchange connection of the train pipes of a car equi ped with my device with the correspon mg tram p1pe of a car not so equipped.

A further object of my invent1on is to provide a strong and simple constructlon of automatic train pipe connector, which will be durable and inexpensive .in constructlon,

and operate with certainty under all service conditions. I

In the accompanying drawmgp: Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating one embodiment of my invention and showing the hose of a car not equipped with the automatic connector in interchange communication with the hose of a car having the automatic device.

Fig.2 is a fragmentary plan view w1th parts in section, showing my improved connector with the hose of the car equipped coupled thereto.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view, show ng the initial position of the parts 1n couphng the hose of the car equipped with the automat1c connector to the interchange head of the latter.

Fig. 4 is a rearelevation of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a front face view of the interchange head of my improved connector. 7

Fig. 6 is a rear view of a standard type of hand-operated coupling section adapted to couple with the interchange head of my device.

Fig. 7 is .a rear face view of the shiftable coupling means pivoted on the coupling section.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of a slight mod1ficat1on.

Fig. 9 is a detail View, partly m section,

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Nov. 6', 1917.

Application filed January 15, 1914. Serial No. 312,883.

showing the connection of a flexible hose length to the train pipe in'my improved device.

Fig. 10 is an end view of the elbow con-; nection shown in Fi 9.

Fig. 11 is an en nut shown' in Fig. 9, and

Fig. 12 is a side view of the swiveled nut.

Referring to the drawings, B indicates the head of a well-known type of automatic connector, provided with guiding prongs 10 and having a tubular conduit D extending r'earwardly through a supporting bracket A; said head B being yieldingly supported in position by a spring C. The bracket A is shown formed in two parts secured together and to the car in any suitable manner.

An interchange head 14 is secured to the end 13 of the conduit D at the rear of the bracket A; said head 14 being adapted to receive a standard hand-operated coupling view of the swiveled section 21 and to be coupled to the latter by i a latch 23 pivotally mounted on said section at 22. v A

As shown especially in Fig. 3, the overhanging'flange 16 of the interchange head 14 is suitably formed and positioned to ermit swinging of "the coupling section 21 mto coupling position on the interchange head without axial twisting or bending in the vertical plane of the train pipe hose 20 connected to said section 21; a tapered wa 19 being provided in the coupling face 1 of the head 14 to facilitate such swinging or tilting of the section 21 into coupling position.

After the section 21has been thus swung to coupling position on the head-14, said section and head are coupled together by shifting the pivoted latch 23 between the overhanging flange 16 of the'head 14 and the v usual flange. 24'0f the standard coupling section 21; the flanges 28 and 27 of said head and section, respectively, engaging in the usual manner.

In order to positively prevent accidental 1 and flange 28' being maintained by the re siliency of the gaskets 18 and 30 carried by the head 14 andsection 21, respectively, and the pressure of the fluid within the said head and section. said projection 29 of the section 21 Wlll 1n like manner interlock with the corresponding flange 24 of the standard hand-operated coupling section F when coupled in interchange with such section F of a car not equipped with an automatic connector, and be maintained in such positionby the fluid pressure within the coupled train plpes and the resiliency of the gaskets 1n the sectlon 21 and the hand operated coupling F.

The interchange head 14 is provided with.

a pin 31 which extends angularly from its flange l6into its face 17; said pin constituting a stop for engaging theflange 24 of the section 21 and the latch 23 pivoted on said section, to limit themovement of said section and latch in coupling the parts together.

As shown espec1all 1n Flg. 9, the hose 20 has a fitting or thim le 45 extending from its free end, to which the hose is secured by a clamp 47. A head or nut 36 (see Flgs. 9, 11 and 12) is rotatably mounted on e thimble 45 and provided with an interior seat 43 in engagement with an annular shoulder 46 on said thimble. A flange 48 on the clamp 47 engages an annular recess 49 in the nut 36 for confining said hose against axial shifting on the thimble; said shoulder 46 being constructed to permit the head or nut 36 to swivel relative to both the thimble or -fitting 45 and clamp 47.

The nut 36 is provided with interrupted threads 41 and 42 adapted to screw on correspondingly interrupted threads 37 and 38 on an elbow connection 35 secured on the train pipe 34; a gasket 50 being seated in said connection 35 for engaging the thimble flange 46 when the hose 20 is secured to the train pipe 34 by the nut or head 36. This improved construction provides a strong and eficient means that will not leak, for detachably connecting the hose 20 to the train pipe.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification in which a head 52 is connected to the rear end of the tubular conduit D with its coupling face extending in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of said conduit. The head 52 and the coupling section 51 are similar in design to the standard hand-operated coupling sections; whereby said section 51 is adapted for coupling with said head 52 or with the standard hand-operated coupling section of a car not equipped with an automatic connector. lln-this construction, the section 51 can be readily coupled to the interchange head 52 by slightly twisting the hose 20, or said section 51 can be carried back of the supporting bracket A and in It will be obvious that similar manner coupled to the standard hand-operated coupling section of a car unequipped with an automatic connector.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that my invention provides an espe cially simple, compact construction adapted for ready and eflicient use in connecting a car equipped with an automatic connector with a car not so equipped, the connecting means being always in position on the connector, ready for instant service. H desired, the hose 20 may be employed entirely as an interchange device, and the automatic connector connected to the train pipe by suitable permanent or detachable connections. I

I have illustrated preferred and satisfactory constructions, but changes could be made within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Havin thus described my said invention, what ll 0 aim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a train pipe, of a coupling member connected to the pipe and adapted to be coupled with a standard handoperated coupling section, an automatic concoupling member, and a latch on said memher for ockin the latter to said head.

2. The com ination with a train pipe, of a coupling'member connected to the ipe and adapted to be coupled with a stan ard hand-operated cou ling section, an automatic connector having a head rovided with a port adapted to register with a ort in said coupling member and a latch p1votally mounted on said mem er and adapted to secure the latter to said head.

3. The combination with a train ipe, of a coupling member connected to t e ipe and adapted to be coupled with a stan ard hand-operated .cou ling section, an automatic connector having a head provided with a port adapted to register with a port in said coupling member, and means mounted on said coupling member and adapted to lock the same in operative relation to the head of the automatic connector.

4. The combination with a train pipe, of a coupling member connected to the pipe and adapted to be coupled with a standard handoperated couplin section, an automatic connector having a ead provided with a port adapted to register with a port in said coupling member, means for automatically engaging said head and member when the latter is in operative relation to the head, and a manually adjustable latch secured to the Tqougling member and adapted to engage said 5. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a connector head, an interchange head connected therewith, a coupling section connected to the train pipe of the car, means shiftably mounted on said coupling section for coupling the latter to said interchange .head, a resilient member positioned between said coupled section and head and adapted to be compressed, and cooperatin parts on said coupling section and interc 'ange head adapted to be automatically interlocked by the resiliency of said compressed member when said section and head are in the coupled position.

6. The combination with a conduit of 'an automatic train pipe connector,.of a member mounted on said conduit and having a port communicating therewith, a asket mounted lying-in a plane substantially at a right conduit member when the couplin angle to the axis of the adjacent. section of the conduit, a projection on said member, a flexible pipe'connected with a car train pipe and provided with a coupling adapted to engage said member and including a projection that overlaps the projection on the is engaged therewith, and means cooperating with said projections to lock the coupling and conduit member in engaging relation. 7

8. The combination witha conduit of an automatic train pipe connector, of a member connected with the conduit, a flexible pipe connected with a car-train pipe and provided with a coupling adapted to engag a standard hand car-hose coupling or saidconduit member, and van adjustable projection on said couplin for securing the latter to said conduit menir.

In testimony whereof, I have He reunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses J OS. V ROBINSON. Inthe presence of KATHERINE V. BOSWELL, 1 .'M. C. SHERIDAN. 

